Abstract

Political parties in opposition have a number of possible strategies open to them. They may look to act as policy pushers, stressing the government's apparent neglect of a set of core issues that they hold dear. They may act as strategic opponents, opposing the government's agenda wherever possible, but not opposing the system within which it is embedded. Alternatively, they may choose to be a more obstructionist force, attempting to both delegitimise the government and the broader political system. The parliamentary parties in opposition to the Grand Coalition in Germany have adopted all three of these approaches to varying degrees and with varying rates of success.